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Soldier?
After Bruce and Wanda confirmed that Bucky's mind was still free from the triggering words, and Sam had his fill of giving him a hard time, Bucky began to feel a little bit restless. Watching the others come and go from training and spur-of-the-moment scuffles made him want to move, also. He did not, however, want to fight anyone else yet, so Sam showed him to the makeshift gym.
It took so much to wear him out now that he'd been there for a few hours and expected to be there a few more. Bucky didn't ask how they'd managed to get the large pieces of equipment through the tiny door that led to the room, or indeed to the farmhouse at all, he just hit the punching bag methodically and let his mind wonder. He couldn't believe he'd managed to end up in that farmhouse with Steve and Natasha and the others. He couldn't believe how easy it was to think of her as Natasha instead of Natalia. He couldn't stop waiting for the other boot to fall. Surely this was too good to remain and he wouldn't stay free with them for long.
"Soldier?"
Bucky jumped and turned, wondering who could have come into the room with such soft footsteps that he couldn't hear them at all. He was greeted by the one Steve had called Vision. He also noticed that Vision wasn't standing, he was floating. So much for hearing him coming, he thought. He still remembered the way he fought on the airstrip and a slight chill of uneasiness ran up his spine.
"I did not mean to startle you," Vision continued. "I called to you several times, but I believe you were too consumed with your own thoughts to hear."
Bucky continued to stare at Vision. He knew he should say something, but he wasn't sure what that should be. Even Thor hadn't been able to wrong-foot him so thoroughly, and Bucky was well aware that Thor was considered a god. But even he was familiar enough through stories and legend, and his friendly, boisterous personality could set anyone to ease. Vision was different… not just in looks but in demeanor. There were no stories for what he was and no common ground to find.
"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself yesterday when you arrived. I felt it wasn't the time. They call me Vision."
"That's not your name?" Bucky finally spoke up.
"I don't have a name, but I was born of Tony Stark's vision for a protected world, and when he failed in his efforts to succeed in that endeavor and created Ultron, I was created with the help of Thor to counteract him. I was not born of woman, so I have no mother to name me. I am simply the result of attempts to bring life to this." Vision raised a hand to touch the stone in his head.
"What is that?" Bucky asked.
"An Infinity Stone. "
"Okay." Bucky didn't know what an Infinity Stone was, but he also realized he didn't have enough context to understand it if he asked Vision to clarify it for him.
"I make you uncomfortable." Vision was staring at him, but with curiosity rather than any aggression. Bucky wanted to tell him he was wrong, yet sensed it was a bad idea to lie to him.
"Yes," he said, quietly. "But only because I don't understand what you are."
To Bucky's surprise, Vision smiled softly. "I am still struggling to understand myself."
At that admission, something in Bucky relaxed. Not completely, but enough to realize that Vision might be just as confused about himself as anyone else might be.
"I am sorry I interrupted you," Vision said. "But I wanted to apologize."
Bucky shook his head. "For what?"
"For what happened before," Vision replied. "I do believe that it is right that extraordinary individuals be watched. The abilities we have can often lead us to believe that it is our right to make decisions regarding dangerous situations when it often is not. Those abilities can also lead to us being the dangerous ones. However, the way they wanted to achieve it at the time, was wrong. I did not realize that they did not mean for you to stand trial. If Captain Rogers had not been present, I am sure they would have killed you. Even after you were detained, it would not have been a fair sentence. Words and logic should be used to come to an agreement; not the breaking of the law and the neglect of basic humanity."
"How do you know I didn't deserve to be shot on sight?"
"You were free for two years and didn't kill a soul."
"That you know of."
Vision smiled again. "Not a soul."
Bucky didn't know how to respond to that, but another thrill of unease went through him at the absolute certainty in Vision's voice. It was true that Bucky hadn't hurt anyone while he'd been on the run for those two years, but there was no solid evidence for Vision to build his belief on.
"Miss Romanoff wished me to inform you that Mr. Barton has announced that lunch is nearly ready. She would like you to join them if you are able."
Bucky felt strangely like the previous part of their conversation had not happened and Vision had only just entered the room.
"I'll go freshen up then," he desperately wanted to leave, all of a sudden. "See you there?" He didn't know why he asked.
"No, I don't eat," Vision replied.
Bucky nodded like this should have been obvious.
"You know," Vision continued. "If you discount Thor, who is some thousand years old, out of everyone here, you're the oldest and I'm the youngest."
With that, Vision floated across the room and through the outside wall, leaving the house.
"Okay," Bucky said to the empty room, then shook his head. "Definitely weirder than the guy with the webs."
Sorry this chapter's a little short. Only one left to go! After this one is finished I'll start work on the sequel. I'll leave a little information about what it'll be like at the end of the next chapter. Since I'll be starting back to uni at the beginning of next week (I already have homework, guys), I'm going to finish this story sometime this week. Updates for the sequel may be less frequent but I also plan to make the chapters for it much longer as it will be more of a traditional story rather than snippets of Bucky meeting people.
Thank you to gandalf537, BigBangVIP, DarylDixon'sLover, and Saphira130 for the lovely reviews!